Turkey's scientific research output is booming – but what about the quality?

Answers come from analysis and a joint research evaluation event with Elsevier and Hacettepe University

By Tayfun Basal and Gamze Keskin Posted on 15 April 2013

Share story:

Over the last decade, Turkey's GDP (gross domestic product) has grown significantly, prompting the government to increase its R&D spending. Turkey increased its research and development expenditure from 0.54 percent of GDP in 2001 to 0.86 percent in 2011, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK).

As part of long-term plans, the government has set a goal to increase the share of R&D investments to 3 percent of GDP by 2023, the centennial of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.

But, what about the quality of this research?

To answer this question, Elsevier organized a research performance and evaluation event March 12 in collaboration with Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. The theme of was "Turkey and Turkish University's Research Outputs in the Context of International Trends in Science and Collaboration Opportunities."

Elsevier Chairman Youngsuk "YS" Chi began his presentation with a quotation that reflects Turkey's motivation for investing in scientific research:

Science is not a luxury which is the preserve of developed countries ... Technology and innovation are key to achieving long-term economic and social development.

Addressing the audience at the opening session, Chi said: "Three decades of economics studies have conclusively demonstrated that investments in both basic and applied research pay off with very large net positive economic impacts, though lags can be from 20 to 30 years in basic science in particular."

The event was held for the first time in Turkey, with the participation of representatives from government, research institutes, universities and university libraries as well as researchers and public policy experts. Its main goal is to enable delegates to present and discuss Turkey's research performance.

At the same time, the event provides a forum for in-depth conversation on research evaluation, innovation and policy management, and an opportunity to share best practices on how to capture and analyze information scientific research output and use it to develop research strategy.

Examining Turkey's research output

Source: SciVal Spotlight 2006-2010, based on articles from Elsevier's SciVal Spotlight for co-citation analysis (updated in May 2012).

During the event, rectors and vice rectors of leading universities in Turkey, YS Chi and Elsevier SciVal Consultant Jörg Hellwig presented revealing statistics – some in visual form – about Turkish universities and Turkey's research output.

In research output, Turkey ranks number 18 of the world's top 20 countries (based on number of articles published between 2006 and 2010) and is already a definitive global competitor. Although it is on the lower end in terms of the number of articles published, it is at the top in terms of the rate of growth – at number 4, behind only China, India and Brazil.

There is not only global growth in the quantity of Turkey's research output but also in the quality. This graph shows the percentage of total papers that have been cited, in 4-year increments since 1996. All the countries on this graph have had growth in the proportion of papers that have been cited over the entire 15-year period. Nearly half (49.9 percent) of Turkish papers were cited between 2006 and 2010.

In this way, Turkey surpasses two of the world's most rapidly growing economies: India, which had 46.4 percent growth, and China, which had 37.7 percent. Despite its smaller GERD (gross domestic expenditure on R&D), Turkey is producing proportionately more "quality" papers.

Going deeper into the analysis of Turkey's research output, findings show that Turkey is good at chemistry, engineering and medicine. Research in Turkey has also become increasing interdisciplinary, as shown by a 2011 study conducted by Elsevier. This trend can be seen on the SciVal Spotlight country map for Turkey, which shows scientific production from 2007 to 2011. The bubbles represent research competencies, while their position and the different colors of the lines within them show the disciplinary mix involved.

Scientific production from 2007 to 2011. In this SciVal Spotlight country map for Turkey, the bubbles represent research competencies, while their position and the different colors of the lines within them show the disciplinary mix involved.

In recent years excellent scientific research, as the main driving force of our modern society, has been proved to be the source of breakthroughs in the diffusion of our knowledge of the world. The evaluation of such scientific research is considered to be of paramount importance. One of the main factors in the assessment of research performance is the international scientific influence, representing a measurable aspect of scientific quality.

The key to increasing the international scientific influence is to increase international collaboration. Although Turkey's growth of research output is increasing rapidly, it has long way to go to be a leader in international collaboration compared to other developed and developing countries like Brazil, Iran and Italy.

During his presentation on "Turkey's academic output performance, impact and collaboration overview," Hellwig also indicated that there is a correlation between international collaboration and strength of Turkey. He said that if Turkey increases the level of international collaboration in scientific research, it will be "paid back" with a high amount of international research funds.

Hellwig, who led this research as SciVal Consultant, explained his conclusions:

Turkey is investing in R&D, but not as much as other countries.

The number or researchers and students is steadily growing, while the percentage of PhD graduates remain stable.

Turkey is the leading country in the Middle East – far outpacing other SMIT countries in impact and output. The SMIT countries – South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey – are considered the four emerging markets with the most potential for growth after the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), based on population growth and position economic growth.

Turkey's strengths are within medicine and chemistry – whereas the strong activity in agricultural and biological sciences does not reflect as a strength.

Turkey's level of international collaboration needs to be increased.

[note color="#f1f9fc" position="center" width=800 margin=10]

The event

The meeting was called "Trends in International Cooperation within the Framework of Outcomes and Opportunities in Turkey and Turkish Universities"

Follow Elsevier Turkey

Elsevier Connect Authors

Tayfun Basal, Regional Director for Turkey, Iran, Middle East and Central Asia Countries at Elsevier, manages a team of six people to coordinate the marketing and sales activities of more than 1000 universities and research centers. He has been working for Elsevier since 2006 in various roles. He Lives in Ankara and holds a MBA from Gazi University in Ankara and an MS in mechanical engineering from Middle East Technical University in Ankara.

Gamze Keskin , Customer Development Manager for Turkey, Iran, Middle East and Central Asia Countries at Elsevier, is responsible for regional marketing initiatives and usage development in the academic and government sectors. She has been working for Elsevier since 2011. She holds an MS in science education from Middle East Technical Universityin Ankara.